BRIAN LITTLE kicked-off a Tranmere transformation in mid-October which no team in the Second Division has bettered.

The Rovers' boss, (left), came in after 13 games with the club fighting a losing relegation battle.

Their form since then has been championship class - with just six league defeats in six months. But with tomorrow's visit of Barnsley the penultimate home game of the campaign, Rovers' late bid for the play-offs looks likely to just run out of fixtures.

But Little refuses to contemplate thoughts of what might have been.

"Do I wish I'd come in a little earlier? I don't think of my work like that," he said.

"I'm more disappointed that we lost four games around the FA Cup time.

"I have no thoughts of 'if only.' I'm just pleased to be here and I'm looking forward to the end of this season and the challenge of next season."

Barring an incredible sequence of results above them, Rovers look likely to miss out on the play-offs - but Little refuses to rule out the possibility until it is math e matic al ly impossible.

"If I was to say it doesn't really matter any more there would be a few people jumping up and down saying 'Hang on a minute, Brian. Look at the league table!'," he added "We are in a position where we owe it to ourselves to go out there on Saturday and try and win.

"If the other clubs above us lose, I'm sure the first question you'll ask me on Saturday will be 'do you think you have a chance?'

"Until things are mathematically out of reach you have to hang onto them.

"Having said that I am delighted with the points tally our team has gathered this season.

"From where I came in, to where we are, our points per game return is equal to most clubs in this division.

"All we can try and do is win three games, and I doubt whether that will be enough, but we have to be professional and it would be a massive disappointment of the season petered out now."

Eugene Dadi is suspended for tomorrow's visit of Barnsley, while Paul Linwood's season has already ended as he prepares to undergo a hernia operation today.

"Barnsley are potentially a team who can genuinely say they are worthy of a place in the division above," said Little.

"They have a great set-up now and Barnsley will look at this season with some disappointment.

"They have a new manager in there now, in Paul Hart, who will do well and he is renowned for his ability to bring through young players.